The White Horse

The day after the swim, we slept in. We spent the morning wandering around Walmer Castle, one of the Cinque Ports of the Kentish coast, (it seems there are like 8 of them, I didn't really get a good explaination why they were called cinque). For lunch we visited The White Horse, in Dover. (So named for the resemblance between the white capped swells, often present in the channel, to galloping white horses.)

Outside The White Horse in Dover.
So called "white horses" of the channel, out past the break water. Maybe you can see...

Although a relatively recent tradition, when one swims the Channel, either solo or as a member of a relay team, one is then entitled to write their name, the date, the time, and a few words about their crossing, etc. on the walls or ceiling of the pub.
Here we are scouting a spot to record my crossing. The times vary from widely, the names are of people from all over the world. Some names have many dates and times under them. One of my favorites, because I could relate, had the name, time, date, and just said "It was bloody horrible."

Alison Streeter, MBE has under her name, "Queen of the Channel", and as though to justify this statement, there is a 41 with a line through it, a 42 with a line through it and a 43 with an exclamation point! (Although Major Bad-ass English-women would be appropriate, MBE is a form of knighthood, Member of the British Empire. 43 is the most number of channel crossings, by any person, ever, living or dead, real or imaginary. There are some ferries that havn't done this many crossings. She is amazing.)

I found a little spot right over he corner of the bar. It reads: DAVIS LEE 28/9/10 12:41 E -> F "IT WAS COLD"

Here we are with some celebratory pints.

If you are ever in Dover go check it out.